Caltrans Fencing Improvement Project (CFIP)

Project Summary

The Caltrans Fencing Improvement Project (CFIP) is a $1-million construction project emerged from the dynamic partnership between City of Garden Grove, the Garden Grove Police Department Special Resource Team (SRT) and Caltrans.

With the goal of addressing the City’s encampment concerns, the project involves the installation of deterrence fencing, landscaping and hardscape to beautify and secure the identified encampment areas, which fall under Caltrans’ jurisdiction. These are located within the underpasses of Freeway 22, spanning from Springdale St. to Garden Grove Blvd.

Identified Areas:

  1. Pearce Pedestrian Bridge: North and South side of the Pearce Pedestrian Bridge, along the 22 Freeway, west of the Wintersburg Channel.
  2. Beach Blvd – Freeway 22: North side of the Beach Blvd entry ramp, heading westbound onto the 22 Freeway
  3. Trask Ave – Freeway 22: North and South side of the 22 Freeway, at Trask Avenue, between Newhope Street and Harbor Blvd.

Project Description and Contractors

Construction commencement: February 2024
Construction duration: ~120 days
General Construction Contractor: Quality Fence Co.
Construction Manager: NEXGEN Design Builder, Inc.

Background and Partnering Agencies:

In July 2022, the City recognized that approximately 70% of its unsheltered population was residing beneath the underpasses of Garden Grove (22) Freeway. The identified areas are within the Right-of-Way (ROW) sections under Caltrans jurisdiction. The GGPD Special Resources Team (SRT) and the Public Works Department were not permitted to enforce encampment laws or implement “clean-up” efforts in these areas due to an existing MOU with the State of California. As a result, an increased rate of encampment issues continued after numerous “clean-up” efforts.

A partnership with Caltrans transpired as the City and Caltrans entered into a Cooperative Agreement and Delegated Maintenance Agreement (DMA) to actively address the homeless encampment issues within the city boundary lines.

Cooperative Agreement

In March 2023, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans. The purpose of the Cooperative Agreement is to provide support to the City for the installation of fencing, decorative paving and gravel on unpaved slopes and narrow areas within the City and along certain underpasses of Freeway 22 from Springdale Street to Garden Grove Boulevard (the “Project”). Under the Cooperative Agreement, the City would be reimbursed by the State in an amount not to exceed $600,000 (on a reimbursement basis) to implement the Project.

In December 2023, the City Council approved the Amendment to the Cooperative Agreement to increase the project amount to $1,000,000. Simultaneously, the City awarded a construction contract in the amount of $789,888 to Quality Fence Co. to perform fencing installation, landscaping and hardscape at the identified areas from Springdale St to Garden Grove Blvd.

Delegated Maintenance Agreement (DMA)

In September 2023, the City Council approved the Delegated Maintenance Agreement (DMA) to authorize the SRT into the encampment areas within the underpasses of Freeway 22, of which are Caltrans’ jurisdiction, to conduct street outreach. Additionally, the DMA obligates City to keep the Caltrans right-of-way areas in a safe and operational condition. Maintenance obligations include but are not limited to litter, debris, and graffiti removal, repairs, and restoration.

Contact

For questions and inquiries about the project, please email CFIP@ggcity.org.